Can an HD Cable Be Split to Run to Two HDTVs?

by David Lipscomb

High definition cable, like most cable services, can conveniently be split to multiple televisions. Whether using a cable box or running the cable feed directly to the televisions, splitting an HD cable signal requires a high quality splitter.

Quality

Splitters designed for high definition cable signals should be two two gigahertz or higher. These splitters typically use an active circuit board rather than a simple pair of wires and an iron bead. This bandwidth helps ensure that the upper range of high definition channels reaches the television or decoder without issue.

Tips

Splitting a signal once reduces the signal by slightly more than three decibels, but should not affect the reception of high quality HD content. However, using multiple splitters, especially after the original split, can reduce reception up to one quarter.

Amplifiers

One method of ensuring that the signal remains strong after it enters the house is to use a signal amplifier. These devices compensate not only for long cable runs, but for multiple splits. These amplifiers often look like splitters, although slightly larger. They support multiple cable outputs -- more than would be recommended using a normal lossy splitter.

Cabling

RG-6 quad shield is a coaxial cable with four alternating layers of foil and copper braided shielding. This makes the cable exceptionally resistant against electromagnetic and radio frequency interference. Delicate digital signals broadcast by your provider require this type of cable to carry high definition signals into the home. From there, RG-6 quad is used from each split to maximize signal strength, protecting the signals from other electronics and AC electrical lines.

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About the Author

David Lipscomb is a professional writer and public relations practitioner. Lipscomb brings more than a decade of experience in the consumer electronics and advertising industries. Lipscomb holds a degree in public relations from Webster University.